Premature infants may get metabolic boost from mom's breast milk

The breast milk of mothers with premature babies has different amounts of microRNA than that of mothers with babies born at term, which may help premature babies catch up in growth and development, according to researchers.

In a study, researchers compared the breast milk of mothers with babies born prematurely -- between 28 and 37 weeks gestation -- and at term -- after 38 weeks. They examined whether there were differences in the composition of the breast milks' microRNAs, snippets of RNA that affect gene expression and can be passed to the infant.

"We found that there are differences in these microRNA profiles, and that the majority of the altered microRNAs influence metabolism," said Molly Carney, medical student in the Penn State College of Medicine. "If those microRNAs are being transferred to the infant, that could potentially impact how the newborn processes energy and nutrients."

The researchers said the results -- recently published in Pediatric Research -- could help better match babies with donated breast milk and give insight into how to develop better infant formula.

Babies born prematurely are at risk for a host of problems, including failure to thrive and neurodevelopmental delays. They also tend to be born at a lower weight than term infants. Because of these issues, premature babies have different nutritional needs than babies born at term.

Previous research has established that the macronutrients -- fats, sugars and proteins -- in the breast milk of mothers with premature babies are customized to meet the unique needs of these infants. But although researchers have suspected that microRNAs in breast milk have a role in infant health and development, no study has specifically looked at whether microRNAs differed between premature and term breast milk.

The researchers collected 36 samples of breast milk from mothers with infants born at term and 31 samples from mothers with infants born prematurely. Then they processed the samples in a lab, extracting the microRNAs and comparing them to the human genome to pinpoint the differences between premature and term breast milk.

After the analysis, the researchers identified nine microRNAs that were significantly different in the premature breast milk. They found that these microRNAs target metabolic processes and may help regulate gastrointestinal function and energy use in premature babies.

Steven Hicks, assistant professor of pediatrics in the Penn State College of Medicine, said the results may help explain why premature infants tend to do better when breast-fed by their mothers.

"We know that babies born prematurely have better health outcomes with breast milk than with formula, and our results may explain some of these health benefits associated with breast-feeding," Hicks said. "The unique microRNA profiles that we found in premature breast milk seem well suited to premature infants, because they target metabolic pathways that could spark catch-up growth."

For example, microRNAs found in premature breast milk block both ADRB3 and NR3C1 gene expression -- both of which negatively affect adipogenesis, or fat storage. Blocking these pathways could help boost fat production in premature babies that are having problems gaining weight.

Hicks said the results could have several applications, including matching babies with donated breast milk.

"For a variety of reasons, babies who are born preterm often rely on donated breast milk," Hicks said. "Oftentimes, that milk comes from a mother who gave birth at term, and has been breast-feeding for months. That milk may not be optimal for a 32-week premature infant who was born two days ago."

Hicks also said the findings could lead to opportunities to create better baby formula in the future.

"MicroRNAs are an epigenetic material that is made by our bodies and is not present in formula. So even though formula is made to mirror the nutritional components of breast milk -- carbohydrates, lipids and proteins -- it doesn't have any of these epigenetic factors," Hicks said. "It is possible to create microRNAs in a lab and put them in formula. This approach might help bridge the health gap we see between formula- and breast-fed infants."

The researchers said the study helps reinforce that breast milk has multiple nutritional benefits, and may be adapted to individual infant's needs.

Choreographing the microRNA-target danceMolecular biologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center were able to uncover a new mechanism that choreographs a complex molecular dance by applying the latest in gene editing technology combined with a traditional method of making a microRNA target produce a fluorescent green protein.

Loss of a microRNA family, let-7, found key in neuroblastomaA study led by researchers at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, finds that a microRNA called let-7 plays a central role in curbing neuroblastoma and could focus efforts to find a targeted, nontoxic alternative to chemotherapy.

MicroRNA may help control arterial thrombosisIn a new study published online this week in The FASEB Journal, a Brigham and Women's Hospital research team investigated the role of miR-181b in blocking the development of arterial thrombosis.

This volume explores microRNA function in a wide array of human disorders, providing a clinical basis for precision medicine and personalized therapies using these molecules. The twenty-one chapters, all authored by internationally-renowned experts, open with an introduction contextualizing microRNA manipulation within today’s initiatives towards precision medicine. The following chapters explore the clinical role of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, focusing on mitochondrial fitness, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular remodeling,... View Details

The book serves as a comprehensive resource for scientists and clinicians studying the role of non-coding RNAs in inflammation (viral infections, wound inflammation), human inflammatory diseases (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes) and innate immunity. It provides a universal reference work comprising both basic and specialized information. Given that ncRNAs represent new therapeutic targets, this volume will also be of interest to industrial biomedical researchers and those involved in drug development. View Details

This book explores the role of miRNA as therapeutic agents, the progress made in this direction and the problems that need to be addressed for miRNA based therapies to become successful. It also discusses the basic biology of miRNA sythesis, regulation, and their role in disease biology. View Details

This volume is a collection of miRNA detection and target identification protocols, detailing new developments in the traditional detection approaches such as northern blot, quantitative real-time PCR, array, next generation sequencing, and in situ hybridization. The chapters in MicroRNA Detection and Target Identification: Methods and Protocols guide readers through novel approaches such as nanotechnology, microfluidics, based detection methods, analysis of serum and urinary, miRNAs as biomarkers, target identification and experimental approaches. Written in the highly... View Details

This volume thoroughly explores of the functional role of microRNAs in cancer. It not only expertly describes the molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation process but also compiles cutting-edge research on microRNAs in several forms of cancer, including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and bone cancer. Distinguished experts, currently working in prestigious institutions, elegantly discuss these fundamental themes. The text, which opens with a foreword by the renowned Dr. Carlo M. Croce, is enhanced by... View Details

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are RNA molecules, conserved by evolution, that regulate gene expressions and their recent discovery is revolutionising both basic biomedical research and drug discovery. Expression levels of MiRNAs have been found to vary between tissues and with developmental stages and hence evaluation of the global expression of miRNAs potentially provides opportunities to identify regulatory points for many different biological processes. This wide-ranging reference work, written by leading experts from both academia and industry, will be an invaluable resource for all those wishing to... View Details

Genetics: Analysis of Genes and Genomes is a resource uniquely suited for learning and applying genetics to our world. Its DNA first presentation frames the discussion of genetics in modern terms, which provides the user the context to then understand its Mendelian history. Genetics continues to treat transmission genetics, molecular genetics, and evolutionary genetics as fully integrated subjects and provides students with an unprecedented understanding of the basic process of gene transmission, mutation, expression, and regulation. A new unit structure with self-contained chapters provides... View Details

MicroRNAs in Medicine provides an access point into the current literature on microRNA for both scientists and clinicians, with an up-to-date look at what is happening in the emerging field of microRNAs and their relevance to medicine. Each chapter is a comprehensive review, with descriptions of the latest microRNA research written by international leaders in their field. Opening with an introduction to what microRNAs are and how they function, the book goes on to explore the role of microRNAs in normal physiological functions, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, cancer,... View Details

Best Science Podcasts 2018

We have hand picked the best science podcasts for 2018. Sit back and enjoy new science podcasts updated daily from your favorite science news services and scientists.

Peering Deeper Into SpaceThe past few years have ushered in an explosion of new discoveries about our universe. This hour, TED speakers explore the implications of these advances â and the lingering mysteries of the cosmos. Guests include theoretical physicist Allan Adams, planetary scientist Sara Seager, and astrophysicists Natasha Hurley-Walker and Jedidah Isler.

#461 AdhesivesThis week we're discussing glue from two very different times. We speak with Dr. Jianyu Li about his research into a new type of medical adhesive. And Dr. Geeske Langejans explains her work making and investigating Stone Age and Paleolithic glues.